Creating a Moment With Teens

Have you seen interior designer Bill Stubb's television show, A Moment of Luxury? I love Bill's philosophy that luxury comes in snippets of joy, rather than being derived from opulent wealth, riches, or money of any kind. Rather, he claims that simple things, like going to the show with a friend, enjoying a great work of art, or sitting in a tranquil garden are wonderful moments of luxury that everyone can enjoy.

In our often too hectic and materialistic lifestyle beautiful moments of luxury evade us. Bill's philosophy is that you can fill a house with luxurious items, but without other elements, all you've done is fill a house with beautiful items. Likewise, we can buy our teens everything they want, but without other elements, they are meaningless items and all we have achieved is that we have bought material goods.

Rather, according to Bill's philosophy of a moment of luxury, people are key to building those moments through generosity and sharing. We can easily build those moments of luxury with our teens. In most instances, moments are all we have and the best we can hope for in the busy lives we lead. It makes perfect sense, then, to keep our eyes open for those opportune moments.

Based on Bill's tips, here are some moments you can grab with your teens, regardless of your budget:

*Visit an art museum - you don't even have to go in, if you don't want to. The grounds of Philbrook Museum in Tulsa would make a great place to take some pictures of your beautiful children. There are also pieces of sculpture to enjoy on the grounds, as well as the Italian Renaissance grotto and garden. Or, visit the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, the Thomas-Foreman Home or Bacone College's Ataloa Lodge right here in Muskogee. I am always amazed at how many young people have not visited those important Muskogee attractions.

*Grab an appetizer and a drink at a restaurant you've always wanted to try. Or just split a dessert with your child. You don't have to spring for a full meal to absorb the fun atmosphere.

*Go to a college student union or bookstore. Buy a notebook with the university's logo on it for your teen to use in class. It will be a silent reminder that college is an expectation.

*Can't afford to live in a mansion, but you can afford to drive around a luxurious neighborhood and admire the architecture.

*Cook up a special meal with your child and serve it to the family on the good dishes.

*Stay at home - have breakfast on a weekend morning. That's the lap of luxury and it fits in with this year's stay-cation package.

*The summer night is full of stars. Nothing is more luxurious than lying on a blanket and gazing up at the stars, trying to identify constellations. Maybe you should reserve this moment of luxury for you and your significant other while the teens are out with their friends. Make sure you use mosquito repellant.

In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't take much at all to live a life of luxury. The spirit of generosity, of spending the most costly and precious thing in the world with your children - your time. That's real luxury.

You can catch A Moment of Luxury on the Rogers State College channel (21 on Suddenlink cable) on Thursday evenings at 9:00 p.m. Visit the website at the highlighted link above for a moment of luxury of your own.